SK Films (SK) is proud to be named as the 2016 recipient of the Nature Inspiration Awards for Best Canadian Business. This prestigious award was presented to CEO, Jonathan Barker and Executive Vice-President, Wendy MacKeigan in Ottawa last night for their excellence in natural history programming and for the supporting multi-platform educational outreach campaigns, with a specific focus on local engagement.

The Nature Inspiration Awards, presented by the Canadian Museum of Nature, recognize individuals and organizations that, through their work or specific projects, encourage Canadians to take an interest in natural history, create links with nature and contribute to its preservation.

“We couldn’t be more proud of the work that SK’s team has done over the years to raise awareness of important global issues such as threatened wildlife/migrations and the serious pressures on our most precious resource – water” through The Water Brothers series on TVO, Radio-Canada and Knowledge Network and in over 40 countries around the world says Jonathan Barker. “We are very grateful to be recognized and to be in the company of such dedicated individuals, organizations and businesses that are striving to make a difference.”

SK Films’ projects range in scope from their award winning eco adventure series – The Water Brothers to acclaimed and inspiring Giant Screen/IMAX® releases such as Flight of the Butterflies (2012) and its upcoming release, Amazon Adventure (April 2017).

Jonathan Barker, CEO at SK Films, accepting the award from John Geiger, CEO Royal Canadian Geographic Society.

Meg Beckel, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Nature, Wendy MacKeigan, Executive VP at SK Films, Jonathan Barker, CEO at SK Films, and John Geiger, CEO Royal Canadian Geographic Society.

]]>http://skfilms.ca/sk-films-wins-nature-inspiration-award-for-best-canadian-business/feed/0The Water Brothers TV Series and Dive Deeper Nominated for 2016 Canadian Screen Awardshttp://skfilms.ca/sk-films-the-water-brothers-and-dive-deeper-nominated-for-2016-canadian-screen-awards/
http://skfilms.ca/sk-films-the-water-brothers-and-dive-deeper-nominated-for-2016-canadian-screen-awards/#commentsTue, 19 Jan 2016 22:09:21 +0000http://skfilms.ca/?p=1976Toronto, ON (January 19, 2016) – SK Films is very pleased to announce that its eco-adventure television series THE WATER BROTHERS has been nominated for a 2016 Canadian Screen Award along with its interactive digital companion series, DIVE DEEPER.

The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television announced the nominees at an event held at the TIFF Bell Lightbox building in Toronto. THE WATER BROTHERS is nominated for ‘Best Science or Nature Program or Series’ while DIVE DEEPER received a nod in the category ‘Best Cross-Platform – Non-Fiction’. The Academy honours outstanding achievements in Canadian film, television and digital media and is considered the highest level of recognition in the Canadian screen industry.

Alex and Tyler Mifflin, the Water Brothers themselves and the series’ passionate creators, hosts, and directors were delighted when they heard the news. “Thanks to the Academy for this incredible nomination,” Alex said. “We’re so excited to be recognized by our talented peers in the Canadian industry!” Tyler added, “Putting the series together is a team effort, and we can’t thank our colleagues and collaborators enough.” In particular, Alex and Tyler wanted to share this honour with Executive Producer Jonathan Barker, Producer Wendy MacKeigan, TVO broadcast executive Jane Jankovich, Editor Steve Guise, Production Manager Nathan Cohen, and animation studio Thought Café (Jon Corbiere, Tyler Sammy, and Nick Counter) for their superb work designing DIVE DEEPER.

Currently in production on its fourth season, THE WATER BROTHERS follows Alex and Tyler as they explore the world, uncovering the planet’s most important and leading-edge water stories and interviewing top scientists and experts on solutions. There is no place they will not venture from the highest mountain peak to the bottom of the ocean. They have investigated the drying up of the once mighty Jordan River, swum with schools of hammerhead sharks in Costa Rica, and worked with NASA to learn how space technology is advancing our understanding of water on Earth and throughout the universe.

DIVE DEEPER is a series of interactive web stories that allow users to scroll through engrossing animated sequences, stopping along the way to discover fascinating facts or watch short action videos and learn what can be done to make a difference in their own daily lives and beyond.

THE WATER BROTHERS airs in Canada on TVO and Knowledge Network, in the U.S. on Participant Media’s Pivot Network, and in over 50 countries worldwide. Dive Deeper is available online at www.thewaterbrothers.ca/divedeeper. Special thanks to the Bell Fund and the Canada Media Fund for their ongoing support.

The Canadian Screen Awards will be given out March 8 – 13.

–

Media Contact:

Donnie MacIntyre
dmacintyre@skfilms.ca | 416-367-0440 x3033

Amber Hawtin
ahawtin@skfilms.ca | 416-367-0440 x3033

]]>http://skfilms.ca/sk-films-the-water-brothers-and-dive-deeper-nominated-for-2016-canadian-screen-awards/feed/0SK FILMS’ The Water Brothers Nominated for Prestigious Blue Ocean Film Festival Awardhttp://skfilms.ca/sk-films-the-water-brothers-nominated-for-prestigious-blue-ocean-film-festival-award/
http://skfilms.ca/sk-films-the-water-brothers-nominated-for-prestigious-blue-ocean-film-festival-award/#commentsMon, 28 Sep 2015 18:03:22 +0000http://skfilms.ca/?p=1972Toronto, ON (September 28, 2015) — SK Films is pleased to announce that its eco-adventure television series THE WATER BROTHERS has been named a finalist at the 2015 BLUE Ocean Film Festival. The show has been nominated for Best Broadcast TV Program for its third season episode, Underwater Highways.

The BLUE Ocean Film Festival is considered the leading authority and most prestigious water-based environmental film festival in the world. Renowned filmmakers, scientists, and entertainment executives will select the award winners. As an organization, BLUE holds the fundamental belief that film is the most powerful tool we have available to engage a broad global audience to educate them about the ocean and empower positive next steps.

Currently in production on its fourth season, THE WATER BROTHERS is an award winning series featuring brothers Alex and Tyler Mifflin as they explore the world, uncovering Earth’s most important water stories. The brothers have investigated the demise of the once mighty Jordan River, swam with schools of hammerhead sharks in Costa Rica, and worked with NASA to learn how space technology is advancing our understanding of water on Earth and throughout the universe. Each episode takes Alex and Tyler on an adventure to a different part of the planet.

Upon learning about the nomination, Alex Mifflin stated, “We’re thrilled to be recognized by our international peers for our efforts in using film as a means of educating viewers about vital environmental issues. This nomination will help raise awareness of the important global issues we discuss in each episode of THE WATER BROTHERS.” Tyler Mifflin added, “Alex and I share the same principles as BLUE so we couldn’t be happier about joining this amazing community. THE WATER BROTHERS’ goal is to reach as many viewers around the world as possible through film, television and online, and participation in the BLUE Ocean Film Festival, along with the esteemed filmmakers and environmentalists we have been nominated with, will greatly boost our ability to do so.”

THE WATER BROTHERS is accompanied by acclaimed digital media assets including the QUENCH APP and the interactive experience, DIVE DEEPER.

Winners of the 2015 BLUE Ocean Film Festival will be named at the BLUE Carpet Awards Ceremony and Gala at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco on November 9, 2015 in Monte Carlo. THE WATER BROTHERS, commissioned by TVO, is also seen on the Knowledge Network in British Columbia, Participant Media’s Pivot network in the U.S. (in more than 50 million homes) and locally in more than 40 countries worldwide.

]]>http://skfilms.ca/sk-films-the-water-brothers-nominated-for-prestigious-blue-ocean-film-festival-award/feed/0Franklin ship discovery spurs on Spirits of the Northwest Passage projecthttp://skfilms.ca/franklin-ship-discovery/
http://skfilms.ca/franklin-ship-discovery/#commentsThu, 22 Jan 2015 00:57:02 +0000http://skfilms.ca/?p=1930For centuries, one of the most remote, beautiful and challenging environments on earth has contained a coveted prize – the discovery and accessibility of a northern route across the Arctic, the fabled Northwest Passage. Spirits of the Northwest Passageis an immersive film for IMAX and other giant screen cinemas that will be produced in collaboration with the Canadian Museum of History for release in 2017 to coincide with the celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary. The film will trace the ebb and flow of human passion, adventure and exploration across the Canadian North, from the first Inuit people to the ill-fated Franklin expedition to the opening up of the Northwest Passage today. Re-live the fierce obstacles that confronted explorers, understand the incredible survival strategies of the Inuit, and experience the unique wildlife and astounding landscapes. Let the spirits of the past and present communicate the wisdom we need to carry us into the future of the Northwest Passage.

]]>http://skfilms.ca/franklin-ship-discovery/feed/0THE WATER BROTHERS Eco-Adventure Doc Series to Debut in the US on Pivot TVhttp://skfilms.ca/the-water-brothers-eco-adventure-doc-series-to-debut-in-the-us-on-pivot-tv/
http://skfilms.ca/the-water-brothers-eco-adventure-doc-series-to-debut-in-the-us-on-pivot-tv/#commentsWed, 05 Nov 2014 19:30:23 +0000http://skfilms.ca/?p=1901Toronto, ON, October 29, 2014 – SK Films is delighted to announce that U.S. based Pivot TV has acquired The Water Brothers for broadcast beginning November 2nd. The Water Brothers and its Toronto-based hosts and creators, Alex and Tyler Mifflin, will be in good company on the network, joining such great, socially conscious series as The Operatives and Take Part Live.
Pivot has approximately 45 million subscribers in the U.S. Created by Canadian Jeff Skoll’s Participant Media its mission is to reach and engage millennials and inspire viewers to take action about the issues raised in the programming.
“We’re thrilled to have found such an ideal home for The Water Brothers in the US,” states Executive Producer and SK Films CEO Jonathan Barker. “Pivot and the Participant Media team are focused on the young demographic that the Brothers represent and are committed to enlightening and inspiring audiences about the environment and making a difference – just like the Brothers.” The Water Brothers is currently in post-production on its third season for commissioning broadcaster TVO, which will launch the new season in 2015.

About SK Films:
SK Films is an award winning creator and distributor of cutting edge 3D and 2D natural history and other fact-based content for multiple platforms from giant screen/IMAX® cinemas to mobile applications. Working with world-leading talent and with an unwavering commitment to quality, our mission is to entertain and inspire audiences and immerse them in the awe and wonder of the world we live in. www.skfilms.ca

About Pivot:
Participant Media’s television network Pivot (Pivot.tv), launched national in the US in August 2013, serves passionate millennials (18-24) a diverse mix of original series, acquired programming, films and documentaries. Pivot focuses on entertainment that sparks conversation, inspires change and illuminates issues through engaging content and connects audiences to a wealth of content and actions through its affiliated website TakePart (TakePart.com). Pivot is available in approximately 45 million homes in North America via traditional pay TV subscription, integrating a live on demand streaming option via the Pivot app.

]]>http://skfilms.ca/the-water-brothers-eco-adventure-doc-series-to-debut-in-the-us-on-pivot-tv/feed/0AMAZON ADVENTURE Project Awarded Major Grant from the U.S. National Science Foundationhttp://skfilms.ca/amazon-adventure-project-awarded-major-grant-from-the-u-s-national-science-foundation/
http://skfilms.ca/amazon-adventure-project-awarded-major-grant-from-the-u-s-national-science-foundation/#commentsFri, 12 Sep 2014 16:01:03 +0000http://skfilms.ca/?p=1893SEATTLE, WA, September 12, 2014 – Pacific Science Center is proud to announce that it has been awarded a significant grant from the National Science Foundation for Amazon Adventure to conduct research that will study the effect of the giant screen on learning outcomes, support SK Films’ production of the giant screen Amazon Adventure film, and create an accompanying educational outreach program and materials. The research will be conducted with the participation of key personnel from Rutgers University and Arizona State University and will involve GSCA members from the Marbles Kids Museum, California Science Center, Maryland Science Center, Ruben H. Fleet Science Center and, of course, Pacific Science Center.

“Pacific Science Center is excited to be leading this important giant screen learning research,”said Diane Carlson, vice president of guest services and theater programs for Pacific Science Center. “By partnering with the SK Films and Howard Hughes Medical Institute teams, we’re able to bring Amazon Adventure and its important themes to giant screen audiences in the US and around the world.”

Amazon Adventure tells the science adventure story of Henry Bates and his extraordinary 11-year journey through the Amazon as a young man in the 1850s. Although unknown to the general public, he made crucial contributions to evolutionary biology. While identifying 8,000 species new to science, he discovered the phenomenon of “Batesian” mimicry and provided the “beautiful proof” for what is widely considered the most important scientific explanation of the development of life on Earth – natural selection. This story will be told with cutting-edge technology that will capture the amazing Amazonian rainforest and incredible examples of mimicry.

The film is being developed by SK Films with Tangled Bank Studios, the film and television production unit of the non-profit Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI). SK will be responsible for production and distribution of the film. HHMI will develop a suite of additional educational materials associated with the film.

SK CEO Jonathan Barker says, “We are delighted to be re-uniting the same key team that created Flight of the Butterflies, especially director Mike Slee and writer Wendy MacKeigan, and to be working with Diane Carlson and the great team at Pacific Science Center, as well as with Tangled Bank Studios to produce this film. We are deeply engaged in this next challenge and look forward to continuing to do what we can to push the envelope for giant screen films.”

HHMI Vice President for Science Education Sean B. Carroll says, “ Our goal is to excite young people by taking them right into the heart of the process of scientific discovery. This great story, which unfolds in a remarkable ecosystem, and illuminates the process of natural selection, makes Amazon Adventure a perfect fit for us.”

Early support from the giant screen industry for the project has been overwhelming with over 50 theatres endorsing the film’s concept and themes. SK is working to raise the remaining financing, with the intention of going into production in 2015.

Pacific Science Center and all of the project participants gratefully recognize the great importance of National Science Foundation funding to launching far-reaching STEM education and informal learning initiatives such as the Amazon Adventure project.

About Pacific Science Center: Pacific Science Center began as the United States Science Pavilion during the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair. Millions came to explore the wonders of science during the World’s Fair and upon closing ceremonies, the Science Pavilion was given new life as the private not-for-profit Pacific Science Center, becoming the first U.S. museum founded as a science and technology center. On July 22, 2010 Pacific Science Center was declared a City of Seattle Landmark. On October 22, 2012 Pacific Science Center celebrated making science fun for 50 years.

About SK Films: SK Films is an award winning creator and distributor of cutting edge 3D and 2D natural history and other fact-based content for multiple platforms from giant screen/IMAX® cinemas to mobile applications. Working with world-leading talent and with an unwavering commitment to quality, our mission is to entertain and inspire audiences and immerse them in the awe and wonder of the world we live in.

About Tangled Bank Studios: Tangled Bank Studios, LLC, is a production company dedicated to the creation of original science documentaries for broadcast and theatrical distribution. Founded in 2012 by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute as an extension of its longstanding science education mission, the company produces programs that capture compelling stories of discovery across all branches of scientific inquiry, including the recent three-part series Your Inner Fish, broadcast on PBS.

]]>http://skfilms.ca/amazon-adventure-project-awarded-major-grant-from-the-u-s-national-science-foundation/feed/0SK Films and The Howard Hughes Medical Institute join forces for the giant screen 3D film AMAZON ADVENTUREhttp://skfilms.ca/sk-films-and-the-howard-hughes-medical-institute-join-forces-for-the-giant-screen-3d-film-amazon-adventure/
http://skfilms.ca/sk-films-and-the-howard-hughes-medical-institute-join-forces-for-the-giant-screen-3d-film-amazon-adventure/#commentsThu, 01 May 2014 06:53:12 +0000http://skfilms.ca/thenetnow/?p=356September 1, 2013. Following the success of its latest critically acclaimed film, Flight of the Butterflies, SK Films, in association with the renowned Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s (HHMI) Tangled Bank Studios unit, will produce the 3D film Amazon Adventure for Giant Screen theatres around the world.

“We’re thrilled to be working with world leading scientists and executives from HHMI and Tangled Bank on this remarkable story,” states Executive Producer and SK Films CEO Jonathan Barker. “The core creative and production team from Flight of the Butterflies, including Co-Executive Producer and Co-Writer, Wendy MacKeigan, will be central to this exciting project.”

HHMI, a science philanthropy whose mission is to advance biomedical research and science education for the benefit of humanity, created Tangled Bank Studios to further science education in the popular media.

Amazon Adventure tells the exciting story of Henry Bates’ fascinating eleven-year journey through the perilous Amazon rainforest as a young man who risks his life for science. As in any great detective story, audiences will experience the compelling clues Bates unearths in his major discovery of the phenomenon of “Batesian” mimicry, whereby certain animals adopt the look of others and thus deceive predators.

Little known to the public, Bates made other crucial contributions to biology: identifying 8,000 new species and most importantly, putting forward the first ever case for speciation – the “chain of progression” from one species to another. This discovery turned out to be the “beautiful proof” for Natural Selection.

Amazon Adventure has received overwhelming support from the Giant Screen industry, with over fifty theatres already endorsing the film.

Amazon Adventure is intended for release in Giant Screen theatres in 2016.

-XXXX-

About Tangled Bank Studios

Tangled Bank Studios, LLC, is a production company dedicated to the creation of original science documentaries for broadcast, theatrical, and digital distribution. Founded in 2012 by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute as an extension of its longstanding science education mission, the company aims to produce programs that capture compelling stories of discovery across all branches of scientific inquiry. Headquartered in Chevy Chase, Maryland, Tangled Bank Studios partners with producers, broadcasters, and distributors around the world.

About HHMI

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is a nonprofit medical research organization that ranks as one of the nation’s largest philanthropies. HHMI plays a prominent role in advancing biomedical research and science education in the United States.

Founded in 1953 by aviator and industrialist Howard R. Hughes, HHMI is headquartered in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and employs more than 3,000 individuals across the U.S. HHMI has an endowment of $16.1 billion of which the Institute spent $800 million for research and distributed $119 million in grant support for science education in fiscal year 2012.

About SK Films

SK Films Inc. is a Toronto-based, multi-platform entertainment content provider and a leader in 3D film production and distribution. The company was founded in 1998 together with the late Robert Kerr, the visionary co-founder of IMAX Corporation.

Multiple Award Wins For The Water BrothersAt Worldfest –Houston International Film Festival

The Water Brothers are going to need a bigger trophy cabinet as they picked up multiple awards at this year’s Worldfest – Houston International Film Festival for the second season of their television series.

The Water Brothers, an eco-adventure series produced by SK Films for TVO, is currently in production for its third season. The documentary series follows brothers, Alex and Tyler Mifflin as they explore the world, uncovering the most important water stories of our time. What are the problems and where are the solutions to help us better protect our most precious resource?

The series was awarded the Platinum Remi award for the episode “The Pure and the Poisoned” and a Gold Remi for the “Here Comes the Flood” episode in the Ecology/Environment/Conservation category. Another Platinum Remi was also given to the brothers for the episode entitled “Plastic Ocean” in the Oceanography/Marine Biology category.

Tyler and Alex Mifflin were on location off the coast of Scotland and were unable to attend the awards ceremony in Houston.

]]>http://skfilms.ca/multiple-award-wins-for-the-water-brothers-at-worldfest-houston-international-film-festival/feed/0Flight of the Butterflies wins at the International Wildlife Film Festivalhttp://skfilms.ca/flight-of-the-butterflies-wins-at-the-international-wildlife-film-festival/
http://skfilms.ca/flight-of-the-butterflies-wins-at-the-international-wildlife-film-festival/#commentsSat, 19 Apr 2014 01:24:18 +0000http://skfilms.ca/thenetnow/?p=437April 18, 2014

SK Films is delighted to announce that its latest Giant Screen/IMAX® film, Flight of the Butterflies won the Judges’ Merit Award for Best Science Content at the International Wildlife Film Festival.

Flight of the Butterflies was the opening night film in the Missoula, Montana festival and was the only one of the three Giant Screen films in competition that took home an award from this prestigious festival. This year, over sixty films from around the world were screened during the course of the week.

The mission of the festival organization is to “promote awareness, knowledge and understanding of wildlife, habitat, people and nature through excellence in film, television and other media.”

Flight of the Butterflies has become on of the most critically acclaimed Giant Screen films in recent years as it continues its highly successful rollout around the world.

]]>http://skfilms.ca/flight-of-the-butterflies-wins-at-the-international-wildlife-film-festival/feed/0SK Films and The David Suzuki Foundation Co-Host Fundraising Screening of Flight of the Butterflies in support of the Homegrown National Park Projecthttp://skfilms.ca/sk-films-and-the-david-suzuki-foundation-co-host-fundraising-screening-of-flight-of-the-butterflies-in-support-of-the-homegrown-national-park-project/
http://skfilms.ca/sk-films-and-the-david-suzuki-foundation-co-host-fundraising-screening-of-flight-of-the-butterflies-in-support-of-the-homegrown-national-park-project/#commentsWed, 02 Apr 2014 02:00:08 +0000http://skfilms.ca/thenetnow/?p=1017April 1, 2014. SK Films, in conjunction with the team from the David Suzuki Foundation will be hosting an IMAX® 3D screening of Flight of the Butterflies on Saturday, April 12, 2014 from 10:30am – 12:00pm at the Scotiabank Theatre in downtown Toronto. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the film’s Executive Producer Jonathan Barker and the Writer Wendy MacKeigan.

All proceeds from this special screening will support the David Suzuki Foundation’s Homegrown National Park Project, which this year aims to crowdsource a butterfly-friendly green corridor throughout the City of Toronto.

In addition to seeing the film, all ticket holders will receive a voucher for a free milkweed plant, which will be available for pick up at the foundation’s plant sale in late May as part of their Got Milkweed campaign.

The Monarch butterfly migration is seriously threatened due to loss of milkweed, which the Monarchs depend on for their survival as it’s the only plant that they lay their eggs on and is their main food source. As part of its extensive educational outreach for Flight of the Butterflies, SK Films has given away over half a million milkweed seeds and donated a portion of the proceeds of the film to conservation projects in the monarch sanctuaries.